Card dealing machine



Dec. 29, 1936. R H. PLASS CARD DEALING MACHINE Filed March 4, 1930 6 v Sheets-Sheet 1 29, 1936. R, H, LAS 2,065,824

CARD DEALiNG MACHINE Filed March 4, 19so 6 Sheets- Sheet 2 fimacm f .2 EOEQTDZH Paws.

.Dec. 29, 1936. R. H. PLAss CARD DEALING MACHINE e'ffsh ts-sneet 3 Filed March 4, 1930 Dec. 29, 1936. R. H. PLASS CARD DEALING MACHINE 6 Sheets$heet 4 Filed March 4, 1930 Dec. 29, 1936. R. H. PLASS v2,055,324

' CARD DEALING MACHINE 6 sham-anew 5 Filed March 4, .930

JIIIIIHHIIIIII'i 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 R. H. PLASS CARD DEALING MACHINE Filed March 4, 1930 Dec. 29, 1936.

1 v'IIIIV/llIfll'flll gag UNITED STTES ATEN'E' FFIE CARD DEALING MACHINE Robert H. Plass, Upper Montclair, N. J. Application March 4, 1930, Serial No. 433,017

23 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for dealing playing cards, the object of the invention being to provide an improved machine which will aut0- matically and accurately deal playing a pack of such cards.

cards from A further object of the invention is the provision of a simple, comparatively inexpensive,

compact and light weight card dealing machine which can be readily attached to or detached from a playing card table and, of the way so as not to when attached, is out interfere with the use of the table in the ordinary manner, and when detached therefrom will permit the storage of the machine and the table into a small space.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved card dealing mechanism which may be lowered and locked below the top of the table, where it is 0 permit the use of the table top,

ly raised above the top of the way so as to and automaticalthe table into position ut of where it is automatically operative accurately to deal the cards to the several players.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved card dealing mechanism which may be readily rotated by posite the successive cally driven quickly and cards from the pack to th dealers and then hand into position opautomatiefficiently to deal the e several players.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an nism which may table and on the release of automatically raised improved card dealing mechabe lowered and locked below the the locking mechanism thereabove into position to deal the cards, the raising of which mechanism is so controlled that it is and then the mechanism curately to deal the card without jar and noise electrically rotated ac- In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification- Figure l is a vertical sectional View of this improved card dealing machine attached to a card playing table, shown broken away and in section Fig. 2 is also a vertical sectional view partly in elevation taken at right angles to Fig. 1;

4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the rotary part or card dealing mech anism of the machine;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of the clutch mechanism for permittin g the rotation of the card dealing mechanism to the different dealers by hand;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 1-4 of Fig. 2; I

Fig. 8 is a top view of the machine, attached 5 below the table top, a part of the dealing mechanism being shown in cross-section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a side view of the upper portion of the machine illustrating the means for detachably 10 looking the mechanism below the table top, the section of the table being taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Figs. 10 and 11 are detail views illustrating the means for holding the pack of cards and dealing the cards from the pack. These figures together with Fig. 5 illustrate the successive operations of dealing the cards; and

Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view of the casing for holding the pack of cards. 20

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

Before explaining in detail the present improvement and mode of operation thereof, I desire to have it understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments, and that the phraseology which I employ is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

This improved card dealing machine in the preferred form thereof shown comprises a suitable supporting means or casing shown in the form of a cylinder l adapted for attachment to a suitable table shown in the form of a card table l. In the present instance, this machine is supported centrally of the table which is provided with an opening in the center thereof. The cylinder has a bottom 2 and is open at its top and this cylinder is held in place by suitable hangers 3 detachably connected to the table 4 in the manner hereinafter explained. Projecting into this cylinder from the top thereof is a cylinder 5 so fitted as to slide up and down within the cylinder i. This inner cylinder 5 is forced upward by a spring 6 located in the bottom of the cylinder l to engage the bottom of the cylinder 5. When the cylinder 5 is shifted upward, a vacuum is created between the two cylinders for which purpose a small hole 8 admits air into the bottom of the cylinder l. The size of this hole regulates the speed with which the cylinder 5 travels upwardly.

To relieve and prevent undue compression between the two cylinders, when cylinder 5 is forced down by hand, the'bottom 7 of the inner telescoping cylinder 5 is provided with a pair of relatively larger openings 9 covered by suitable .fiap valves Ill operative to admit air to the cylinder 5 whenit is pushed down.

Locatedin the outer cylinder I is a slot II (see Fig. 3) through which extends a projection I2 secured to the inner cylinder 5, A bell-crank locking arm I3 is pivotally connected, as at I4, to a motor supporting bracket I5 and is provided with a beveled'a'djustable nose or projection I6, adjustable relatively to the bell-crank lever by means of a pair of slots and screws I6.

When the inner cylinder 5 is pushed down, this catch or nose I6 will engage the projection I2 and thus lock the inner cylinder in its lowered position below the. table top until the locking device is released which is accomplished by having one end of the bell-crank lever I3 in position to be engaged by a push button I I accessibly located in the table top and held in pl'ace'by a spring I8, collar [9, and a bracket 26 secured to the under side of the table top.

. screwed to the inner cylinder, while the bearing 24 is carried bythe bottom 'I of the inner cylinder' 5. 'A spring I8 is used to return the locking lever to'its locking position. a a

A suitable small electric motor 26 is mounted "on the bracket I5 secured to the hangers3 that support the machine from the bottom of the table and the friction pulley 2I of this motor being in engagement with the friction disc 22 rotates the shaft 23 and the card dealing mechanism or head hereinafter described thereby to deal the cards,

'this' mechanism rotating relatively tothe telescoping cylinders within which it is carried.

however, on the shaft 34. 75

with aninterme'diate or idler The motor is connected'by a suitable cord 0 (see Fig. 8) with a'socket and iscontrolled by a suitable switch or Switches .9, two being shown located preferably at two; cornersof'the'table also be provided at the under side of the table for the attachment of the plug secured to one end of the cord, theopposite end of which may be secured to alight or wall socket or at any other accessible place. 7 7

Secure'd to the bearing 25 is a disc gear 28, which being fastto the bearings, does not rotate.

The shaft 23, however, projects through the center thereof andterminates in a plate or disc 36 which is freely rotatable on this shaft 23 and, therefore, independent thereof (see Fig. 2) and this platetilfis provided with friction shoes 3I sliding on the stationary gear 28 (see Fig; 1), thereby properly tobalance the plate 33.

Driven by the shaft 23 is an upright shaft 34 and for this purpose'the' shaft 23 is provided with a gear 29 rotatable therewith and meshing gear 33 pivotally secured to therotatable plate "30, and this gear 33 in' turn meshes with a driven gear 32 loose, V This gear32 has a hub passing through the plate and is provided with clutch teeth 35 in position to co-operate with a similar toothed member 36 mounted on the shaft 34 for sliding movement by means of a spline or keyand groove connection 38 ,(see Fig. 6). This tongue or key is formed as part of a' collar 39 fast to the shaft 34, and between this collar and the clutch member 36-is located a spring 40 to force the clutch member 36 into engagement with the teeth 35 of the driven gear 32 and thereby rotate the shaft 34. This construction also enables the card dealing mechanism to be turned by hand without rotating the motor driving mechanism. In other Words, it enables the card dealing portion of the machine to be.

shifted by hand to the several successive dealers,

'so as to start the deal, while the electric drive of the machine is idle, since theclutch teeth 36 will slip over. the'clutch teeth 35 during thishand turning movement.

While the gear 32, as before stated, is loosely mounted on the shaft 34, yet secured to the lower end of this shaft 34 is a gear 40"in mesh with the stationary disc gear 28 so that when the shaft 23 is rotated by the motor and the shaft 7 the clutch members 35 and 36 will slip relatively to each other.

The upright shaft :34 is supported by a bearing 4| (see Fig. 2) mounted on a card receiving casing 42, which casing is supported by and secured. to the rotary plate 30, and by means of which this card dealing mechanism or head and its cas- 7 ing 42 are rotated.

Secured to the upper end of the shaft 34 is a bevel gear 43 in mesh with a'similar gear 44 having a gear 45 attached to it. This gear 45 drivesa pair of gears 46 and 41 (see Fig. 1), pivotally supported by a bracket 48 (see Fig. 5) secured to'the top of the casing 42. These gears 46 and respectively mesh with gears 5I and 52 secured to shafts 49 and 50 whereby these This mechanism, as,

shafts are rotated or driven by the gears 5| and 52. The opposite ends of the shaft 50 aresupported by upright members 50' carried by the casing 42 (see Fig. 12) while the shaft 49 is supported by the bracket 48 and a similar bracket 43 (see Fig. 2) located at the opposite side of the casing 42.

Located on the shaft 50 are a pair of rubber covered rollers 53 (see Figs. 5, 10, and 11) and shaft 49 also carries a pair of rollers, which rollers, however, are so constructed as to'have what is herein termed rubber fingers 54.

Below the shaft 50 is'another shaft 55 flexibly supported by the casing 42, this shaft also carryinga pair of rubber covered rollers 56 which rollers are held in frictional engagement with the rollers 53 by springs 58 mounted on suitable posts 5! carried by therotating plate 30. These rotatable rollers 56 together with the rollers 53' constitute the delivery rollers for feeding the cards and delivering them successively in front of the several players. V

The top of the casing 42 (see Fig. 12) provided with a pair of slots 42 for the passage of the finger rollers 54. Inside of the casing 42 is a brass plate or card follower 62 which is connected with a shaft 63 by means of pivoted links 64 and arms 65. To the shaft 63"is also fixed an arm 66 to which one end of a spring 61 is connected, the opposite end passing through a wall in the casing 42 (see Figs. 5 and 12) and secured to a pin 61 and by this means a pack of cards is pushed upward against the top of the casing 42 so that the top card will always be in position to be engaged by the finger rollers 54 passing through the slots 42' as the plate 62 is under upward pressure at all times exerted on the bottom card of the pack. To the shaft 63 is secured a hand lever 68 by means of which the follow up plate 62 may be lowered when it is desired to insert the pack of cards between the follow up plate 62 and the top of the casing 42.

The front wall 69 of this casing 42 terminates below the top of the casing so as to form a slot which is about one and one half (1 times the thickness of a card so that but one card at a time can pass through this slot.

The ratio of the gear mechanism is such that the fingers 54 will rotate four times for each revolution of the rotatable disc or plate 30 thus delivering four cards for each revolution of the dealing mechanism or rotatable head of the machine and as each card is shifted forward from the top of the pack by means of the finger rollers 54, it passes through the slot 10 of the casing 42 into position to be engaged by the delivery rollers 53 and 56 and thrown in front of the player, these delivery rollers being so timed, running faster than the finger rollers that they will pull the card away from the fingers the moment they grip it.

In the operation of the machine, the fingers frictionally engage the top card of the pack through the slots 42 of the casing 42 and shifts it forward (see Fig. 5) to be engaged by the delivery rollers 53 and 56. After the shifting forward of this top card, the further rotation of the finger rollers 54 carries the next succeeding card slight ly forward (see Fig. 11) so that its rear edge is brought into position to be engaged by the finger portions of the rollers 54 on their next complete rotation, (see Fig. 10), so that after the first card is shifted from the pack the finger rollers engage each successive card of the pack at the rear edge thereof and positively shift it forward sufficient to be engaged by the rollers 53 and 56 (in the manner shown in Figs. 10 and 11) Whereupon as before stated, the rollers 53 and 55 running faster than the finger rollers 54 pull the card away from the finger rollers and shift it forward to be delivered as the delivery mechanism is rotated, four cards being delivered each time the dealing mechanism is rotated.

The fixed cylinder or casing I is detachaloly supported by the table 4 and for this purpose it has a bayonet-joint connection therewith, which in the present instance, comprises a set of lugs 12 secured to the under side of the table for the reception of hooks 13 formed at the upper ends of the hangers 3 and which hooks or outwardly bent ends I3 of the hangers 3 may be shifted into the lugs 12 when the cylinder i is given a slight turning movement. Suitable guides 14 carried by the table hold the cylinder I centrally located as it is turned into the lugs 12. For securing the cylinder against premature displacement a suitable locking device 15 (see Fig. 9) is provided. This comprises a hooked lever pivoted in position and spring held to engage one of the hooks 13 of the hanger 3. Pressing down the nose of this locking lever against the action of its spring 15 releases the cylinder and permits the hooks 13 to be turned out of the lugs 12 and thus to be readily detached from the table to be stored away so that the legs of the table can be folded up in the usual manner and it, likewise, stored away in a small space.

- As it is usual to cover the top of the card table with a cover, as H, of some kind the opening in the table top is provided with a finishing ring 15 and a suitable embroidery ring 16 may be used to secure the turned in margin of the cover against the ring 16 and thus provide a neat appearance thereof while firmly holding the margin of the cover in place.

The top of the casing 42 supports a circular closure plate or cover '59 which is pivotally secured to the casing, as at 80, by means of downwardly projecting lugs pivoted to the lugs 50' of the casing 42, this cover being fastened by screws 8! to an upright projection 81 carried by the casing 42. This cover closes the opening in the table when the mechanism is pushed down out of the way so that the table may be used in the usual manner for the card game and also permits ready access to the mechanism.

In practice, the under side of the table will be suitably wired, (see Fig. 8), which wiring will terminate in a socket connected with the motor for the reception of the cord plug, the wiring also terminating in a pair of switches of any suitable form for starting the motor. In the operation of the machine, when the card dealing mechanism or head is above the table, a pack of cards may be inserted by the dealer between the follow up plate 52 and the top of the casing 42 by merely lowering the follow up plate by means of the hand lever 68, this being done while the motor is idle, thereupon, after rotating, by hand, the head into proper position, then by operating either one of the switches, the dealing mechanism will be rotated to deliver a card to each of the four players.

In practice, however, it may be preferable to first turn the dealing mechanism into such position that the dealer can slip a pack of cards into the casing 42 with his right hand while lowering the follow up plate 52 with his left hand. When the pack of cards has thus been placed in position the first card will be dealt out to the first player to the left of the dealer and then the mechanism is pushed down until the top 15 thereof is level with the top of the table, whereby it is locked by the locking device l3 hereinbefore described.

If two decks of cards are being used, the game is played with one of the decks dealt by a previous dealer and when the hand is finished and the cards gathered into the pack, the dealer merely pushes the button I! thereby releasing the locking device l3, thus enabling the spring to shift the inner cylinder upward to carry the card dealing mechanism into position to deal the cards whereby on manipulating either of the switches the motor is started and the cards are successively dealt to the four players. Thereupon the switch is disconnected and the previously dealt cards are inserted into the machine and the head pushed downward as before.

In the operation of the machine, it has been found that it takes about ten seconds'to deal the cards and the whole operation, including the raising and lowering of the mechanism, requires about fifteen seconds.

It is to be understood that by describing in detail herein any particular form, structure or arrangement, it is not intended to limit the invenmechanism may be'lowered from and automati- 4 tionbeyond the terms of the several claims or the requirements of the prior art.

Having thus explained thenature of my said invention and described a way of constructing and'using the same, although Without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or all of the modes of its use, I claim:

1. In a card dealing machine, the combination of means for supporting the card dealing mechanism, means for holding a pack of cards, means for successively dealing the cards from the pack, means for automatically rotating said card dealing mechanism and means whereby the card dealing means may be lowered from and elevated into its card dealing position relative to said supporting means; I

2. In a card dealing machine, the combination of means'for supporting the card dealing mechanism, means for holding aipack of cards, means for successivelydealing the cards from the pack, means for automatically rotating said card dealing means, means whereby thecard dealing cally elevated into its card dealingposition and including vacuum controlled means for controlling the lowering of said card dealing means relative to said supporting means. a

3. In a card dealing machine, the combination of means for holding'a pack of cards, rotatable fingers supported for rotation in a vertical plane for successively dealing the cards from a pack and means for automatically rotating said card holding means.

4. In a card dealing machine, the combination of means for holding a pack of cards, rotatable means supported for rotation in a vertical plane in position to engage the rear edge of a card to shift it'into position to be dealt and means for automatically rotating said card holding means.

7 5. In a card dealing machine, the combination i V of supporting means, rotatable card dealing 'mechanism shiftably supported therein, means for raising it relatively to its supporting means, and'means for automatically rotating it when in its elevated position todeal the cards from a pack thereof.

6. In a card dealing machine, the combination of a casing or cylinder, rotatable card dealing means shiftably supported therein, spring means for raising it relatively to its. casing and means for automatically rotating it when in its ele- ,vated position todeal the cards from a pack thereof.

.7. In a card dealing machine, the combination of supporting means, rotatable card dealing mechanism shiftably supported thereby, means V for raising it relatively to its supporting means,

means whereby the dealing mechanism may be manually rotated, and means for automatically rotating the dealingmechanism when in' its elevated position to deal the cards from a pack thereof.

8. In a card dealing machine, the combination ofa card dealing mechanismymeans for supporting the card dealing mechanism, means for automatically raising it into operating position on said supporting means, and means for automatically rotating it pack thereof.

9. Ina card dealing machine, the combination of. a card dealing mechanism, 'means'for supporting the card dealingmechanis m, means for automatically raising it into operating position on said supporting means, means whereby manual rotation thereof may be effected and to deal the cards from a' for automatically elevating the dealing mecha I nism into operating position on said supporting means, means for automatically rotating it, means operative successively to shift the cards from a pack and deliver them in front of the players and including means effective to engage the rear edges of the cards.-

12. In a playing card dealing machine, the

combination of a table having an opening therein, a casing supported under the table adjacent 'to said opening, card dealing mechanism located in said casing, means for shifting it through the opening into position above the table, means f0? automatically rotating the card dealing mechanism, and means for successively dealing the cards from a' pack during the rotation thereof;

13.,In a playing card dealing machine, the combination of'a table having an opening in the top thereof, card dealing mechanism located below said opening, means for shifting it through the opening'into position above the table, means for automatically rotating the card dealing mechanism, and means for successively dealing.

' the cards from a pack during the rotation there- 14. In a playing card dealing machine, the combination of [a table having an opening in the top thereof, card dealing mechanism located below said opening, means for shifting it through the opening into position above the table, means for automatically rotating the card dealing mechanism, means for successively dealing the cards from a pack during the rotation thereof, and means for controlling'the lowering of said card dealing mechanism.

15. In a playing card dealing machine, the combination of a table havingan opening in the top thereof, card dealing mechanism located 7 below said opening, means for shifting it' through the Opening into position above the table, means for automatically rotating the card dealing mechanism, means for successively deal,-' ing. the cards from a pack during the rotation thereof, means for locking the card dealing mechanism below the table, and means for re-' leasing said locking mechanism. a

16. In a playingcard dealing machine, the combination of a table having an opening in the top thereof, card dealing mechanism located below said opening, means for shifting it through the opening into position above the table, means for automatically rotating the card dealing mechanism, means for successively dealing the. cards from a pack during the rotation thereof, and means for detachably connecting the card dealing mechanism to the table. 7 17. In a playing card dealing machine, the combinationof a table having an opening'in the top thereof, card dealing mechanism located below said opening, means for shifting it through 7 the opening into position above the table, means for automatically rotating the card dealing mechanism, means for successively dealing the cards from a pack during the rotation thereof, means for controlling the lowering of said card dealing mechanism and means for locking the card dealing mechanism in position.

18. In a card dealing machine, the combination of a table having an opening in the top thereof, a rotatable card dealing mechanism carried by the table, and means for elevating it above and lowering it below the table top.

19. In a card dealing machine, the combination of a table having an opening in the top thereof, a rotatable card dealing mechanism carried by the table, means for elevating it above and lowering it below the table top, and driving means for operating said dealing mechanism and including means whereby the card dealing mechanism may be manually rotated.

20. In a card dealing machine, the combination of a table having an opening in the top thereof, a rotatable card dealing mechanism carried by the table, and means for elevating it above and lowering it below the table top and electrically operated means for rotating the card dealing mechanism.

21. In a card dealing machine, the combination of a table having an opening in the top thereof, a rotatable card dealing mechanism carried by the table, and means for elevating it above and lowering it below the table top and having means for limiting the elevation of the card dealing mechanism.

22. In a card dealing machine, the combination of a card table having an opening in the top thereof, a rotatable card dealing mechanism supported below the top, means for elevating it through said opening, said rotatable card dealing mechanism including an independently rotatable card dealing head having a card receiving means, a follow-up means for the cards, a rotatable card shifting and delivering means, means for operating said delivering means four times to each rotation of the card dealing mechanism, and electrically operated means for rotating said card dealing mechanism.

23. In a card dealing machine, the combination of means for holding a pack of cards and comprising a casing having a slot sufficiently wide only for the passage of a single card, means co-operating with the top card to feed the card through the slot and from the casing, means in advance thereof for grasping the card and feeding it into feeding position, means for successively dealing the cards from the pack, and means for automatically rotating said card dealing means.

ROBERT H. PLASS. 

